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Match report20 Oct 07 In one of their best performances of the season Ledbury’s 1st XV travelled to Birmingham and defeated one of their promotion rivals with a combination of controlled aggression, positive running and tactical awareness. Facing opponents who had won six of their last seven league games away from home was always going to be a good test of Ledbury’s credentials and they totally dominated the first half to lay the platform for eventual victory. The foundations for the win were again laid by the forwards who took charge from the first kick of the match and never relinquished their hold over spirited but outplayed opponents. With the front row of Will Rogers, Jock Welch and Shaun Nash fast becoming a threat to every team in the league, and the second row of Matt Williams and Olly Dennis providing power in the drive, Ledbury’s scrum control enabled the fit again Bruce Ruthven to kick for territory and field position. Numerous attacking moves could have brought sufficient tries to have decided the game before half time, but Woodrush’s resolute tackling and continual concession of penalties to prevent their line being crossed saw only one scored. That one, however, was outstanding, with Jack Wilesmith turning the ball over in midfield and a series of passes eventually resulting in Olly Kaye running an excellent supporting line to receive an inside scoring pass from Ruthven. This was converted by Luke White, whose superb place kicking of recent times was maintained with five first half penalties. Woodrush kept themselves in the game with a converted try against the run of play before half time, but three further White penalties and another well constructed try finished off by a strong run from fifty metres by Will Green made a late consolation try by the home team irrelevant. This win moves Ledbury into third place with other leading teams losing, and the next league match at home to Southam on February 9 gives the Ross Road side an opportunity to consolidate their position. |
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